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(Two things: First, I didn't know that we were allowed to take pictures at these events. Apparently that's a rule that they got rid of. So I left my camera at home and didn't snap any pictures. Secondly, some of the quotes below aren't for the easily offended. Don't say I didn't warn you.)
I spent nearly two hours of my night Saturday in Buffalo at an event with Jon Stewart of Comedy Central's The Daily Show. Stewart was in town as a speaker in UB's Distinguished Speakers Series. I have been to two past events at UB in this same venue - UB's Alumni Arena - and this event was packed. The floor seating was full and the upper level seating was full as well.
 Stewart began with some comedic jabs at Buffalo, referring to the city as "the gateway to Fort Erie" and discussing how much pride Buffalo takes in "inventing a bar food" - a reference to chicken wings, which are a Buffalo classic.
Stewart talked about a wide range of topics, from the 2008 elections to Proposition 8 to science and religion. He also took questions from the audience, which ended up being some hilarious exchanges. One questioner asked him if he was stranded on a desert island, what three things would he bring with him. Stewart replied rather non-chalantly, "A boat-building kit, a book about boat building and a boat."
One of my favorite moments was when Stewart mentioned the hypocrisy of those who oppose marriage equality and supported Proposition 8 in California. He specifically pointed out the strong number of African Americans who supported Proposition 8 even though they are still defending their own civil rights to this day. Stewart also pointed out the hypocrisy of religion and even questioned whether or not we would see a sign at an anti-marriage equality rally that reads, "God hates fags... and shellfish", a reference to the fact that the Bible considers eating shellfish an abomination.
Stewart also poked fun at Sarah Palin and her attack against President-elect Barack Obama that he "palled around with terrorists." Stewart asked, "How do you pall around with a terrorist? [Do you say] Hey Osama, you wanna go bowling?" During the question and answer session, the first questioner, who Stewart jokingly called Celine Dion for her resemblance to the singer, asked Stewart if we should send Palin America: The Book, a book that was authored by Stewart and The Daily Show staff. Stewart responded by saying that if they did that, she would get every question wrong.
One of the best lines of the night came when Stewart was discussing how we have the world's best military but we are only 26th in education. (Note: That was his statistic. But all the surveys and rankings I have seen show us to be anywhere but first.) Stewart's zinger in response to the fact we have a top-notch military but a not-so great education system? "Smart bombs. Stupid fucking children."
Stewart will tell you that what he does is comedy and satire. He reminded the audience that his show is not a news organization. They exist to make fun of how ridiculous the media is. But Stewart was also thought-provoking tonight. Some people might have seen it as comedy (it was), but he is someone who deserves respect for willing to discuss sensitive issues in a straight-forward manner. He has an every man approach to what he does and that's a good thing. It's just too bad we don't have more like him.
It was a great show tonight. I wish I had more on it, but that's the most I can do with no pictures and video and limited note-taking. It was a lot of fun and I didn't stop laughing. If you can catch Jon Stewart, do it. You won't regret it.
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